The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1887-05-15
TWO PEACHES.

of twenty-five years was at a banquet
given by the college at which We had taken
our diplomas. College reunions are al
ways Notwithstanding congratula-
lions and a Babel Of tongues and names
astonishing to hear after the silence of a
quarter of century.
Vital Herbelot had altered wonderfully
since the days when we were schoolmates.
had left him young, timid and dressed
like fop, and excessively modest in de
meanor, as it was proper clerk should
be who had yet to make his way in the
office where fortune had placed him. The
man before me now was a burly, stout old
fellow, his face and neck Drowned by The
sun, with bright eye, a loud voice, and
the short, brusque manner of man ac-
customed 20 command-in short, the easy
and comfortable mien of well-to do
citizen.
"What are you doing, Herbelot?' said
to HIM as we chatted between the courses.
Still in the Administrations"
I'm the administration! l should say
not" he responded Didn't you know /
had given it up? I'm cultivator, half
league from here, at Chauteraine. l We a
farm which brings me in a round sum.
Come home with me and taste my Bur
gundy."
You farmer? You,t son and grand
son of a line of bureaucrats, the model
clerk, the prospective ambassador? How
did it happen?"
after the banquet I'll tell you. Great
changes ale frequently produced by the
slightest causes. gave up my profession
for two peaches"
1.-TWO peachesp cried, astounded.
Eyes, two peaches; neither more nor
less: but have patience; wait until we are
at Chauteraine and you shall know all
about it
A half hour later we quilted the ban
quoting room, and lighting cigars, began
our walk to the farm. 1t was warm
afternoon at the end of August, but the
road was well shaded, and a gentle breeze
blowing from the direction of the water
prevented our suffering from the heat.
you know" said Herbelot, beginning
his story ''that in my youth | was roll
ing bail, without decided preference for
any profession, but my father, an old en-
ploye himself, could see nothing compar-
able to a career in public office. As soon
therefore, as had received my diPloma
nothing would content him but that too,
must follow in the ancestral footsteps. AS
/ said before, with no predi ecton for
special vocation, i willingly consented
and catered upon the route of bureau
cracy.
industrious, educated, and disciplined
from infancy to listen with difference to
the wishes of my superiors, il was not
long before / was favoIably noticed by
The chief, and l rapidly conquered my
official grade. AT this epoch l married a
young and beautiful, girl, good and affec-
Tomato, but entirely without fortune-a
grave fault in the eyes of the world in
which lived. My friends were positive
that no good WoE,d come Oft. and openly
quoted the proverb: eff the husband
brings the breakfast the wife must supply
the dinner
''As far as we were concerned, neither
of US had enough for the scantiest supper
counting out the official salary. Perhaps
il was reckless, but my wife was an excel
lent manager; and, as we lived modes,ly.
with the strictest economy, local society
ceased to rail at our impludence, and still
received us.
"My chief, however, was very rich
man but continued in the treadmill of ad-
mlnistrative work because he loved it and
also because it gave him excuse for lavish
Hospitality. He was particularly fond of
throwing open his doors to society, and
every Cow and then invited the clerks
frcm the office to attend these entertain
ments.
Il had far rather have remained at
home with my wife, who had become
very delicate soon after marriage, but was
forced, whether or no, to attend the di-
rected receptions, for we were hound to
amuse ourselves according to order.
Just at the time when my wife's health
had failed her most completely, invitations
were issued from the directoral mansion
for grand ball, and in spite of myself |
was compelled again to don dress coat.
AS the hour approached for start
ing for the affair, my wife, who was
celebrating the knot of my neckt.e, said
to me:
"sDon't forget, Herbe'ot, to look at
everything, SO that you can tell me all
about it; and, by the way, saw from the
papers that monsieur lie director had ord
cred the greatest lot of delicacies from
Cheyiet's, and among them some dollhouse
peaches. Ii you love me you'll bring me
one.
"My dear child" 1 demonstrated, chat
isn't to be done. tits impossible. Think
how difficult it would be for a gentleman
in dress suit to pocket peach and es-
cape being SEEN" But the more remon-
.strated the more determined she became
in the fancy. Nothing could be simpler
in the coming and gong than to take
peach as if for myself.
Perhaps it is childish" she declared,
''hut cannot help it." Since I've heard
them talking of Cheyiot's peaches I've had
the greatest desire to taste them. Promise
me, Helbelot promise to bring me just
one"
'sWnat could or any other man do I'M
der the circumstances? | loved my wife,
and she was i'll, and the request was not
SO unreasonable afier all So l nrnmised